Press Release from Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood Now Offering "Morning After Pill" for FREE



Binghamton, NY - Planned Parenthood of South Central New York, Inc. is now offering Emergency Contraception (EC), also known as "the morning after pill", completely free of charge. No appointment is necessary.



Proof of age is required. Emergency Contraception is available over the counter for women and men 17 years of age and older. Women under 17 seeking EC will need a prescription, which is written during a brief visit with a clinician.



Planned Parenthood is strongly encouraging people who come in for EC to see a clinician and get a regular birth control method. As an incentive, Planned Parenthood is offering a free cycle of hormonal birth control (the pill, patch or shot) to people who book an appointment when they come in for EC.



Planned Parenthood also offers several other free services and can sign people up for programs that cover many of their medical services for free. "Income is never a barrier to receiving care at Planned Parenthood," said Debra Marcus, Chief Executive Officer. "We can help people get free birth control, cancer screening and STD testing and treatment."



Emergency Contraception can reduce the risk of pregnancy if started within 5 days of unprotected intercourse. It is safe and effective. The sooner EC is taken after unprotected intercourse, the better it works. It will not interrupt an existing pregnancy.




Marcus said, "Women should be able to keep Emergency Contraception in their medicine cabinet just in case they ever need it. By making it free, Planned Parenthood is helping women decrease their risk of unintended pregnancy."



Planned Parenthood's health centers are located at 117 Hawley Street in Binghamton, Johnson Hill Road in Lisle, The Eaton Center, Suite 208 in Norwich, 37 Pleasant Street in Sidney, 37 Dietz Street in Oneonta and 130 North Street in Walton. For more information, please call 800-230-PLAN.



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Planned Parenthood of South Central New York, Inc. provides high quality, affordable family planning and related health care at six medical centers in Binghamton, Lisle, Norwich, Oneonta, Sidney and Walton. All medical care is overseen by a Board Certified Gynecologist. Medical services may be free or on a sliding fee scale. Insurance, Medicaid and Family Health Plus are welcome. For more information, go to www.ppscny.org or call 800-230-PLAN.